Motor driven tension arm release



June 28, 1966 e. E. coMs'rocK, 3RD 3,258,214

MOTOR DRIVEN TENSION ARM RELEASE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 31, 1962 INVENTOR.

A TTOR NE y 5502 5 C'bMsro J1me 1966 e. a. coMsTocK, 8RD 3,

MOTOR DRIVEN TENSION ARM RELEASE Filed Jan. 31, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

wkcam ATTORNEY ago/2G5 1 C'oMs rock 3 3,258,214 MOTOR DRIVEN TENSION ARM RELEASE George E. Comstock 3rd, Huntington, N.Y., assignorto Potter Instrument Company, Inc., Plainview, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Jan. 31, 1962, Ser. No. 170,151 7 Claims. (Cl. 242'55.12)

United States Patent This invention, generally, relates to digital information storage apparatus and, more particularly, to such apparatus including electrical means for automatically positioning tension arms in a desired manner.

It is a principal object of the invention toprovide electrical means to release tension supplied by arm means on an information storage medium.

It is also an object of the invention to provide electrical means to position tension arm means in a predetermined manner.

A further object of the invention is to provide means to maintain control over the tension applied to a tension arm. a

Briefly, a digital information storage apparatus in accordance with the invention includes at least two storage means, such as reels, attached to receive a digital information storage medium, such as magnetic or perforated tape. A transducer element is supported in a predetermined position relative to the two reels, and suitable guides direct an information storage medium rela tive to the transducer element to permit a transfer of digital information therebetween. At least one tension arm includes a portion to develop a predetermined tension for the information storage medium, and suitable electrical means, such as an electric motor, is connected with the tension arm to release the tension and to position the arm in a predetermined manner.

With the electric motor de-energized and the tension arms in operating (ortape tensioning) position, a coil spring attached to the arms maintains tension in the tape. A shock absorbing device is connected with the tension arms so that in the event of a break in the tape, the tension arms are not damaged by the coil spring.

A complete understanding of the invention may be obtained from the following detailed description of an apparatus forming a specific'embodiment thereof, when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which: i

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective showing the reverse side of a panel constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective taken along the line 22 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an electrical connection diagram for a circuit in accordance with the invention;

FIG. '4 is an exploded view in perspective showing the linkage connections for one portion of the apparatus in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a front elevation of the panel shown in FIG. 1 showing respective components positioned in accordance with the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the rear view of a panel reveals a recessed portion 11 for attachment of suitable hinges (not shown) for mounting the panel 10 on a cabinet.

A pair of multiple loop tension arms 12 and 13 are shown in FIG. 1 by dotted lines since these arms extend across the front of the panel 10. Each of these multiple loop tension arms is afiixed to a shaft, such as the shaft 'arms in either the load or release position. tap 40 of the motor winding 41 is connected directly to M ice 14 in FIG. 4, and a spring 15, FIG. 1, is connected between the shaft for the tension arm 12 and a clip 16 to provide substantially constant tension on the arm 12 over a limited arcuate swing.

A similar spring 17 is attached between the arm 13 and a clip 18, so that each of the springs 15 and 17 exert substantially constant tension on the respective tension arms. The tension developed in the arms 12 and 13 is transmitted to a tape, but if the tape should break, dash pots 27a and 27b connected to suitable links (such as the link 28 afl'ixed to the tension arm shafts) prevent the tension arms from being damaged-because of the spring tension.

As best seen in FIG. 4, a link 19 is rotatably fixed to the tension arm shaft 14 by a suitable key fitted in a slot 20 in the link 19. The spring 15' in FIG. 4 is either spring 15 or 17 in FIG. 1 since both of the springs in FIG. 1 are connected in a similar manner.

The link 19 is provided with a knob 21 extending laterally therefrom and suitable for engagement by a projection 22 on an adjacent link 23. The link 23 is m tatably free on the shaft 14 except as determined by a flexible cable 24 and a spring 25 attached by means of a bolt 26 to the flange 22. i

The flexible cable 24 illustrated in'FIG. 4 is shown in FIG. 1 as cables 24:; and 24b. Suitable turnbuckles 29a and 2% are connected with the cables 24a and 24b, respectively, for initial adjustment of tension, as will be understood, and suitable pulleys 39a and 39b are positioned in respective corners of the panel 10 to direct each respective cable 24a and 24b between the tension arms 12 and 13 and a cylinder 33. I

An electric motor 30 such. as, for example, a Bodine KCI series reversible A.-C. motor which is available commercially, has a spur gear reducer assembly 31 connected integrally therewith, as best seen in FIG. 2. A shaft 32 of the motor 30 has the cylinder 33 affixed thereto and on which is attached the ends of the flexible cables 24a and 24b so that rotation of the shaft 32 in the direction of the arrow 34 tends to wind up the cables 24a and 24b applying tension through these .cables to the respective tension arms 12 and 13 in a manner which will be described in greater detail presently.

As the cylinder 33 turns in the direction of the arrow 34, a pin 35 engages an electrical switch 36 to d-e-ener gize and stop the motor 30 in that position. In accordance with theinvention, the motor 30 is reversible, and upon reversing the excitation to the motor 30, the cylinder 33 rotates in a direction opposite to that shown by the arrow .34, unwinding the cables 24:: and 24b until the pin 35 manually operated toggle switch 8-1 is used by an operator to initiate a motor drive for positioning the tension The center one side of an alternating current source 42, and the other side of the source 42 is connected to one end 43 or the other 44 of the winding 41 depending upon the position of the switch S--1.

While any suitable means may be used to operate the switch S-l, two push buttons 45 and 46 are shown in FIG. 5 mounted conveniently on the front of the panel 10.

The switches S-2 and S3 are the limit switches 36 and 37 shown in FIG. 2 and fixed to de-energize the motor 30 when opened stopping the motor 30 in that position until the switch 8-1 is moved to its opposite position for reversing the motor. Of course, auxiliary contacts (not shown) may be used in conjunction with the switch S-2 and S3 to energize suitable components for indicating the status of the tape load system.

As shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings, two reels 50 and 51 are supported in spaced apart relation relative to each other on suitable shafts 52 and 53, respectively. Guides, such as indicated by the numerals 54 and55, direct a tape 56 relative to a transducer element 57 to permit the transfer of digital information therebetween, and drive capstans 58 and 59 are enengized selectively to drive the tape 56 in either direction past the transducer element 57.

The multiple loop tension arms 12 and 13 are visible in FIG. 5 in their retracted positions to permit greater ease in loading the tape 56. With the tape 56 in position, the tension arms are released, as by reversing the direction of the motor 30, and each respective tension arm 12 and 13 moves to the position indicated by the dotted lines under the action of the springs and 17.

To describe the operation in greater detail, assume that it is desired to replace the tape in the apparatus. The motor is energized to cause the cylinder 33 to turn in the direction of the arrow 34 developing tension in the cables 24a and 24b. As the cables 24a and 24b are pulled, the flange surface 22, FIG. 4, engages the knob 21 of the link 19 causing each tension arm shaft 14 to turn, thereby moving each tension arm 12 and 13 inwardly toward each other to the position shown by the solid lines in FIG. 5. This position is determined by the pin 35,

FIG. 2, engaging the switch 36 to de-energize the motor 30.

With the tension arms 12 and 13 retracted as shown in FIG. 5, it is a relatively easy task to insert the tape 56. With the tape in place, the motor 30 is energized by moving the toggle switch S-l, FIG. 3, to its opposite position causing the cylinder 33 to move in a direction opposite that shown by the arrow 34, unwinding the cables 24a and 24b.

The tension arms 12 and 13 move outwardly away from each other engaging the tape 56 and forming loops therein. As tension developes in the tape 56, the shaft 14 and link 19 come to rest, but the link 23 continues to turn a short distance due to the action of spring 25, FIG. 4, until the flange 22 parts with the. knob 21 leaving the respective tension arms completely free from the influence of the cables 24a and 24b. The limit of movement of the link 23 in this direction is determined by the opposite electrical switch 37 being engaged by the pin 35.

While an electric motor has been described for purposes of illustration, it will be understood that any suitable electrical operative component is applicable.

Obviously many other modifications and variations of means to guide an information storage medium rela tive to said transducer element to permit a transfer of information therebetween,

arm means normally engaging an information storage medium,

said arm means being pivotally supported on a shaft and having spring means attached thereto and normally biasing said arm means and to provide a predetermined tension for an information storage medium,

connection means for moving said arm means in a predetermined manner,

linkage means including a member having one portion attached fixedly to said shaft of said arm means and another portion rotatably free on said shaft and attached to said connection means,

said another portion being positioned adjacent said one portion in a normally retracted, non-contacting position so that during normal operation of the information storage apparatus the arm means is biased only by said spring means, and

electrical means attached to said connection means for moving said another portion into engagement with said one portion to move said arm means to release the tension provided by said arm means and to position said arm means in a predetermined manner.

2. In an information storage apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said electrical means includes a reversi ble electric motor.

3. In an information storage apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including limit switch means to dc-energize said electrical means to stop said arm means in a predetermined position.

4. In an information storage apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including separate resilient means to bias said another portion of said linkage means out of engagement with said one portion when said arm means is positioned to provide tension for an information storage medium.

5. In an information storage apparatus having,

first and second tape storage means adapted to receive an information storage tape,

means to support said reels rotatably in a predetermined position relative to each other,

a transducer element supported in a predetermined position relative to said first and second tape storage means,

means to guide an information storage tape relative to said transducer element to permit a transfer of information therebetween,

multiple loop tension arm means normally engaging the information storage tape,

said multiple loop tension arm means being pivotally supported on a shaft and having spring means attached thereto to provide temporary storage for portions of a tape to maintain a predetermined tension on the tape,

connection means for moving said arm means in a predetermined manner,

linkage means including a member having one portion attached fixedly to said shaft of said arm means and another portion rotatably free on said shaft and attached to said connection means,

said another portion being positioned adjacent said one portion in a normally retracted, non-contacting position so that during normal operation of the information storage apparatus the arm means is biased only by said spring means, and

electrical means attached to said connection means for moving said another portion into engagement with said one portion to move said arm means to release the tension provided by said multiple loop tension arm means and to position said arm means in a predetermined manner.

6. Inan information storage apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said electrical means includes an electric motor connected with said multiple loop tension arm means.

7. In an information storage apparatus as set forth in claim 5 including 5 6 separate spring means to urge said another portion FOREIGN PATENTS of said linkage means out of engagement with said 877 077 9/1961 Great Britain one portion.

MERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner.

IRVING L. SRAGOW, Examiner.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2 909 337 1 5 Lahti et 1 24 55 1 M. K. KIRK, G. F. MAUTZ, Assistant Examiners. 

5. IN AN INFORMATION STORAGE APPARATUS HAVING, FIRST AND SECOND TAPE STORAGE MEANS ADAPTED TO RECEIVE AN INFORMATION STORAGE TAPE, MEANS TO SUPPORT SAID REELS ROTATABLY IN A PREDETERMINED POSITION RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER, A TRANSDUCER ELEMENT SUPPORTED IN A PREDETERMINED POSITION RELATIVE TO SAID FIRST AND SECOND TAPE STORAGE MEANS, MEANS TO GUIDE AN INFORMATION STORAGE TAPE RELATIVE TO SAID TRANSDUCER ELEMENT TO PERMIT A TRANSFER OF INFORMATION THEREBETWEEN, MULTIPLE LOOP TENSION ARM MEANS NORMALLY ENGAGING THE INFORMATION STORAGE TAPE, SAID MULTIPLE LOOP TENSION ARM MEANS BEING PRIVOTALLY SUPPORTED ON A SHAFT AND HAVING SPRING MEANS ATTACHED THERETO TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY STORAGE FOR PORITONS OF A TAPE TO MAINTAIN A PREDETERMINED TENSION ON THE TAPE, CONNECTION MEANS FOR MOVING SAID ARM MEANS IN A PREDETERMINED MANNER, 